10 Lightweight Smartphone Accessories You Should Be Traveling With
Smartphones are a modern-day traveler’s Swiss Army knife, taking on multiple roles as we prepare, pack, and embark on trips. They are our ticket holders and booking concierge; our pocket maps and our tour guides. They send postcards home to family and take field notes of what we see. They carry our library of music, movies, and books without adding any weight to our luggage. Smartphones act as a mobile office in a pinch and allow us to attend work meetings from anywhere. And (though this feature may be its least used) they can make phone calls, too.
If a smartphone is in your travel bag, these smartphone accessories should be, too. Compact and multi-functional, these extensions help your smartphone work even harder for you. Designed to problem-solve for common travel scenarios, like staying charged, traveling with kids, and taking better photos, these add-ons enhance the operations and capabilities of your device for seamless travel.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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HyperJuice 140W charger with adapters
Best for the global business traveler
This universal wall charger is designed to streamline your travel tech setup by minimizing your packing list to just one charging brick. The wall plug doubles as a built-in travel adaptor so you can slide on an EU, UK, and AU pin adapter (included) to use internationally. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, this wall brick has a charging port you can use to charge your device alongside your work laptop or tablet.
Octobuddy silicone phone case
Best for the solo traveler
Solo travelers know the struggle of getting photos of themselves when there’s no one around to take them. Tripods can be cumbersome to travel with, and they quickly draw attention to your photo-taking. You can ask strangers to snap a quick picture, but you run the risk of not liking the shot, or worse, having someone run off with your phone. This silicone suction cup sticker attaches to any phone case and mounts your mobile camera to mirrors, windows, and other flat surfaces, allowing you to get creative angles and points of view you wouldn’t otherwise get with a standard tripod. Use your phone’s self-timer or pair this with a Bluetooth remote to have your own personal travel photographer.
Charmast 10000mAh portable charger
Best for the long-haul traveler
Every traveler should have a battery pack in their bag—you never know how long it will be until you’re near an outlet. And when you’re using your phone frequently for things like map guidance, Googling, and video calling, you’ll deplete your phone’s juice faster than normal. A great travel power bank should be slim and compact and have charging inputs for various devices. Common smartphone charging ports are USB-C, Lightning, and Micro USB. You’ll want your power bank to accommodate all your tech. Try and think ahead for upgrades you might make in the near future; the iPhone 15, for example, uses USB-C, not the lightning port like previous models. This battery pack has all the charging cables built-in, so you don’t have to rifle around in your bag searching for the right cord. Plus, you can see how much charge it has left with a digital LED display.
Iseyyox charging station
Best for Apple users
If you’re traveling with your iPhone, chances are your AirPods and Apple Watch aren’t far away. Streamline what you need to pack with one portable charger that can fit in your pocket. This three-in-one charger uses just one outlet, so you don’t need to bring multiple bricks and charging cables with you, reducing tech clutter and cord chaos.
Klealook adjustable phone stand
Best for families
Family travel days can be chaotic. When the kids are quiet and entertained, you have one less thing to worry about. This phone mount can attach to your airplane tray table or suitcase, creating a mobile entertainment station anywhere. The vice grip attaches to just about any firm flat surface. Reviewers say they have also used it to mount inside a rental car for visual GPS guidance, or as a mobile tripod for self-timer photos.
Pellking phone harness
Best for the adventure seeker
This chest and head harness for your smartphone transforms any cycling trip, hike, snowboard descent, or motorbike adventure into a first-person action movie. A wrench tightens the phone holder for a firm and secure grip for all kinds of high-intensity action. A quick-release mechanism makes it easy to dismount from the chest or head harness so you can capture extra shots on the go.
Moft phone tripod
Best for the minimalist traveler
Tripods are often awkward to travel with and to set up, which is why this flat, pop-up tripod is perfect for minimalists. Whether you’re using your smartphone for a self-timed photo, to video call friends, or to watch a show on the plane, this collapsible tripod adjusts to your desired angle. A sleek, foldable design makes this accessory pocket-friendly. You’ll need a phone case with a magnetic ring or a MagSafe compatible phone to use this tripod.
Eco Sun waterproof phone pouch
Best for the coastal traveler
A must-have for any water-bound traveler, this waterproof phone pouch fits all phone sizes and keeps your device free of sand, snow, and water. The durable dry bag is made of heavy-duty polyvinyl with a leakproof seal and comes with an attachable lanyard so you don’t lose it in the waves or on the slopes. Use it as an underwater camera housing to capture snorkel or surf adventures, or just keep your phone sand-free on beach days.
Harber London wallet organiser for smartphones
Best for the stylish traveler
This full-grain leather wallet organizer is designed to keep your travel essentials together in one place. Store your bills, cards, and phone in one sleek item you can take out of your pocket swiftly as you move through TSA. Ideal for the traveler who doesn’t like bulky cases on their phone; the smooth leather interior protects your phone against any scratches you might get from storing your phone loose in your bag or tossing it in and out of TSA bins. The leather will wear nicely over time, becoming a treasured travel companion.
Moment T-series lens bundle
Best for the aspiring travel photographer
Smartphone camera capabilities continue to improve with every new model. Still, the phone camera can’t yet replicate the versatility of an interchangeable lens camera. If you’re shooting all your travels on a smartphone, you might be craving more creative options. A three-lens bundle for your smartphone can help set your images apart from the crowd and level up your photography skills—without having to invest thousands of dollars in a professional camera setup. A macro lens will capture up-close details, like the scales and water droplets on Costa Rica’s tropical bugs and flowers. A 58mm lens will capture portraits that look like editorial images, and grab shots from farther away that feel much closer. An 18mm lens will capture a vast landscape in one shot. This lens bundle comes with a small case that you can fit in your day bag.
